04-Feb-2018 -- This is the 2nd out of 2 reports reaching confluence points during a weekend bicycle trip from Nancy to Strasbourg. The story continues at 49°N 6°E.

When I reached the town of Sarralbe (2 km from CP) in the eve of confluence day, I planned on spending the night there in order to visit the confluence point the next morning. But soon I had to learn that the town doesn’t offer any accommodation. Finally, I heard from locals that the Restaurant Alsace in the neighbouring town Keskastel offers rooms which can’t be found online. There, I spent a pleasant night with a fine dinner.

On confluence day, I extended breakfast in a café in Saaralbe until daylight came. Then I rode on top of the hill where this confluence point is located.

This confluence point has a very unique location: it is on top of a hill with views into all directions. Therefore, this place has been used for building a water tower right next to the confluence in about 20 m distance. Actually, the exact confluence can be accessed without scaling a fence, since it is squeezed in between two fences. The second fence must have been erected recently, because it didn’t exist in previous visits. But again, a small aisle is left to let confluence hunters reach their goal legally.

And there is another interesting fact about this confluence-hill: it has been a fortification during the Second World War. This hilltop was called “Knopp” and heavily defended by the French. The full heroic story can be read on a signpost.

After the visit, I cycled to Strasbourg following the Marne–Rhine Canal. I should note that right after the confluence visit the weather turned into a snow-storm and lasted all day. However, according to my slogan there is no bad weather but only unsuitable clothing. I reached Strasbourg at 5 PM and hopped in the next train that brought me back to Zurich within two hours.